October 7, 2002
President Bush Outlines Iraqi Threat, Oct 7 2002 Remarks by the President on Iraq
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2002/10/20021007-8.html
http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/library/news/iraq/2003/iraq-030131-usia04.htm Bush, Blair Say Iraq Weapons Issue Must Be Resolved Quickly Speaking with reporters following meeting in Washington 31 January 2003
" I thought I did a pretty good job myself of making it clear that he's not disarming and why he should disarm. Secretary Powell will make a strong case about the danger of an armed Saddam Hussein. He will make it clear that Saddam Hussein is fooling the world, or trying to fool the world. He will make it clear that Saddam is a menace to peace in his own neighborhood. He will also talk about al Qaeda links, links that really do portend a danger for America and for Great Britain, anybody else who loves freedom. As the Prime Minister says, the war on terror is not confined to just a shadowy terrorist network. The war on terror includes people who are willing to train and to equip organizations such as al Qaeda. See, the strategic view of America changed after September the 11th. We must deal with threats before they hurt the American people again. And as I have said repeatedly, Saddam Hussein would like nothing more than to use a terrorist network to attack and to kill and leave no fingerprints behind. Colin Powell will continue making that case to the American people and the world at the United Nations.
. . .
Recently, Tony Blair's government routed out a poison plot. It should
say to the people of Great Britain, there is a present danger, that
weapons of mass destruction are a danger to people who love freedom. I
want to congratulate you on your fabulous job of using your
intelligence and your law enforcement to protect the people of Great
Britain.
Today, Italy rounded up yet another cell of people who are willing to
use weapons of mass destruction on those of us who love freedom.
And so, no, quite the contrary. My vision shifted dramatically after
September the 11th, because I now realize the stakes. I realize the
world has changed. My most important obligation is to protect the
American people from further harm. And I will do that.
Thank you all very much.
"